The others all stood in response ready for war. With the lesser families on guard watching how this will play out.
'ENOUGH! Zeleti please.' Vanessa's hand light touched Zeleti's arm pleadingly; this was only the second time she had ever touched him. 'Damien, Cain, you will get what you want regardless. After this ordeal is resolved, we will receive punishment according to the laws bypassed and you all too will be allowed to turn another member. There is no need for conflict amongst ourselves when the real enemy, the humans, are weakening us each day.' Vanessa used her aura and viscously tore the air in front of them all. The scene showed multiple vampires from all families that were hunted by humans. Their fangs worn like medals. The faces around the room changed, the anger focused in one direction. The situation was so dire that even other supernatural creatures were caught in the crossfire. 'This is what we should be talking about. Even the recluse Sirens have sought our help. Let us not waste time bickering here, when other matters require our attention.' She squashed her aura along with the massacres displayed.
Cain threw himself down in his seat and placed his legs crossed on the table. 'Two weeks.' He raised his two fingers, waving them at Zeleti teasingly.
'The matter isn't as simpl-.' Vanessa was cut off abruptly.
'I have to agree with Cain unfortunately. We can not leave this human live as she pleases while knowing all our secrets. She is to be turned by the full moon in two weeks.' Damien buttoned his blazer closed before tucking his seat in. 'If that is all, as you said lady Vanessa, we have more urgent matters to attend to.'
The lesser families followed Damien and Cain's lead. With two of the Great Three aligned, there was no fighting this decision.
Vanessa and Zeleti were the last to leave. They walked slowly out of the academy building, past the gate, waiting for their horse drawn carriage. Zeleti stayed quiet, and Vanessa waited for the chance to speak. He held her hand to help her up into the carriage. This was the third time they've touched now.
Twice in one day, something is amiss.
Zeleti took his seat inside and waited till the carriage door was shut.
'What is the plan, Vanessa?' Zeleti finally spoke, although his eyes weren't entirely present.
'Zeleti listen-.' It seemed people were making a habit of interrupting Vanessa today.
'You know Rosalyn won't be ready in two weeks to turn. I'm waiting to hear your plan because you seemed very sure of yourself, I'm hoping you will not betray my patience.' Zeleti's voice was filled with a brewing rage.
'Then make her ready.' Vanessa refused to back down, she was frustrated with catering to Zeleti's needs all day. 'This was the only way she would have a chance at living, stop being a sore child and act your age. This is on you! Ricard and I have done everything we can to appease you. Understand that this is the only way and adjust accordingly.' Vanessa's eyes burned red as she released her pent-up frustration.
Zeleti demeanour remained composed. 'You talk as though you and Ricard already planned to have her turned before the meeting.' His eyes studied her response.
Vanessa let a slight twitch in her shoulders giving away the truth.
This didn't escape Zeleti. His tone changed from calm to seething. 'You talk about me being a child, but it is you both who find it impossible to relinquish control, it is why people in the family keep leaving and why you find me difficult.' His eyes morphed to a deep red. 'Know this, I will not live by your laws, and I have the power to do so.' He spoke his final words before letting his aura swallow him whole and disappearing from her sight.
Vanessa sighed in frustration as she dropped her face in her palms; she let her emotions get the better of her and revealed too much. Her self-pity didn't last long though, as she composed herself abruptly. Using her aura telepathy, she whispered to herself. 'Ricard, Zeleti is going to be a problem, take precautions.'
___________________________
*Knock Knock*
'Come in.' Rosalyn answered the door expecting to see Zeleti, as he missed today's usual routine examination. Instead, she saw a figure similar in size and appearance, yet clearly different. Rosalyn froze for a moment tillshe gathered her thoughts.
'Good evening, lady Rosalyn. Allow me to introduce myself.' Ricard bowed slightly before he approached. 'My name is Ricard Crimson; I believe you are well acquainted with my elder brother.'
*Clap*
'Yes of course!' Confirming her thoughts that the resemblance was too close for there not to be a relation. Rosalyn couldn't help but smile from ear to ear as she was familiar with the Crimson family name from Zeleti's stories. As though a character from her favourite book had come to life. 'Why has the Crimson lord himself graced me with his presence?'
Ricard chuckled at the phrase before unbuttoning his blazer and taking a seat by her bed side. 'Zeleti has clearly divulged quite a bit. As flattering as that is, the Crimson lord refers to our founding forefather. I am not worthy of such a title.'
'Well, you are most welcome in my humble abode. I assume your presence here has something to do with my relationship with your brother.' Rosalyn sat up; she was thankful today was one of her rare good days as she didn't want to seem weak in front of the Crimson family.
'You are not as naive as you appear to be, I'm glad. The other families have gotten wind of your... as you say relationship. I'm not sure how much you know about our world, but this has weakened the family's position. The matter itself is not of great significance, but Zeleti is my brother and thus a Crimson heir, directly representing us. The others will use this situation to their advantage and continue to abuse this weakness until it is resolved.' Ricard leant forward. 'Do you understand?' He studied Rosalyn's response.
Rosalyn paused for a moment weighing the gravity of these words. 'I understand more than you know. I understand your family fidelity, I understand not wanting to weaken your family position.' She stared down at her legs, knowing if she even tried to stand, she would most probably fall. She stared down at her own weakness. 'It is not something I wish on Zeleti. However, you being here Ricard, must mean you have a solution.' She met his eyes confidently.
'You are wiser than your years.' He held back a smirk. 'All I ever wanted for my brother was happiness. If he found that in you then I'd like that to continue for much longer than your human life span. This would solve all our problems however, Zeleti would never tell you this himself although he too would wish it possible. The reason being...' Rosalyn cut his words off recognising where the conversation is going.
'I could die.' The words were spoken in sombre yet somewhat cold tone. Rosalyn sighed. 'I have been prepared to die for some time now, perhaps rather than waiting for my fate, running towards it would be a fresh change.'
'Do you not fear death?' Ricard was growing to be more intrigued with Rosalyn as a person.
A laugh escaped her. 'Every human fears death. We simply are naive enough to take life for granted. I have grown accustomed to death; it is a lonely friend that is waiting for its chance to embrace me.' Rosalyn wore a heavy smile, one too mature for her young age. 'Leave the matter with me Ricard, I'll ensure Zeleti is cooperative.'
Ricard smiled once more and stood up. 'I enjoyed our conversation Rosalyn, Zeleti was not wrong in choosing you.'
'Thank you for your kind words.' Rosalyn found Ricard's direct and honest company refreshing compared to the sullen and depressing faces she was accustomed to.
As Ricard left before shutting the door, he paused. 'I hope you live, Rosalyn. You would be a strong addition to the Crimson family.' His words lingered in the room even after he had left.
Strong.
Rosalyn couldn't recall the last time- if any- someone used the word strong in relation to her. The smile on her face was on she couldn't control, it filled her with a sense of pride, spurring her on in her mission to be turned.
*BANG*
The doors flung open startling Rosalyn's smile from her face, only for it to resurface in a different form. 'Zeleti, a surprise but only because it is unlike you not to knock first.'
'Rosalyn!' Zeleti ran to her bed side to embrace her.
'It seems you've had quite the difficult day.' She readied her resolve. 'I'm afraid I will have to add to your troubles.'
Zeleti loosened his embrace, confused, he waited for Rosalyn to explain herself.
'I met with your brother. I always knew you were of nobility.' Rosalyn smiled dancing around the subject.
Zeleti withheld his reaction till she had finished.
She sighed. 'I know. I know the position I have put you in, and I know what you must do to solve the matter.'
'And I won't, I am indeed nobility, I know how to handle vampires.' Zeleti held back his anger as it was directed towards his family not Rosalyn. The idea of his brother and Vanessa scheming around how to control him made his blood boil.
'No Zeleti, you misunderstand. I want this. I know the risk, but I still want this. These last few days have been immensely life changing, you make me want to live Zeleti.' Rosalyn struggled to let out the words, her voice carried her vulnerability.
'And you can, with my pheromones, we can extend our time together, I'm already working on finding a treatment.
'Stop!' Rosalyn didn't usually raise her voice; it was un-lady like. It only emphasised her desperation. 'And have you what? Be at my beck and call day and night? Please Zeleti, I do not want to be your ball and chain weighing you down. I do not want to be your weakness. Please let me be your strength.'
Zeleti could see her will lit with fire, eyes that usually looked so drained were shinning bright. If this was what she really wanted, then how could he refuse her, when all he wanted was for her to be happy?
'Okay if we are to do this, then I will need to take precautionary measures. If I expose you to my pheromones continuously non-stop, then perhaps it may give us a better chance. I will have to move my desk and things here. I will need blood packs for energy…' Zeleti began to ramble on talking to himself, coming up with various theories that could enhance the success rate of the process. Rosalyn's slight touch of a hand made him come to halt; her touch brought him back to her.
'Zeleti, today is a good day.' Her words felt like needles pricking at his skin.
'No! Not today.' He recoiled. 'It is too soon! We don't have enough information.'
'We will never have enough for you to be sure Zeleti. But one thing we know for certain, a good day is better than my normal ones.' She held his hand bringing him close to her. 'Zeleti, we do not know when I will have another day like this.' Rosalyn's eyes were full of compassion and understanding, yet still firm in her decision.
Despite everything Zeleti had planned in his mind, he knew Rosalyn was right in that one crucial point. He looked down at his palm, cradled in Rosalyn's hands. He lost himself in the sound of blood vessels dancing up his wrist to his fingers. He could hear the blood beating strong against Rosalyn's faint pulses.
Before he had time to change his mind, he erected his nails. Rosalyn's eyes widened in shock. It was her first time seeing, rather than hearing about his powers.
'You must be quick, as I heal faster than normal. Drink as much as you can, swallow, do not taste.' He slashed his wrists effortlessly and brought it to Rosalyn's mouth while releasing as much of his pheromones as he could.
The room exploded with strength as Rosalyn tried to do exactly as she was told. She swallowed qnd gulped. Trying to get down as much as she could before the effects took hold of her. Zeleti couldn't help but feel the ecstasy in her drinking his blood despite the circumstances. The feel of her tongue brushing against his skin. Her lips hard against his wrist. The hunger that came over her was tempting him. Tempting him with a future that could be everything he never knew he wanted. He tried to focus on his goal.
However, once the side effects began, she could no longer hold on to him. She fell crunched in a weak ball.
Rosalyn shook violently.
The bed frame hit against the wall and floor just as violently.
Zeleti fell to his knees as he continued to pour all the pheromones he could out in Rosalyn's direction, hoping it would ease her pain.
Her eyes rolled back till only the whites were visible. Her blood boiling, visibly bulging under her skin. Her nails and canines morphed back and forth from a human to vampiric form, never really settling on either. Zeleti clenched his fist till he drew blood, pushing every ounce of pheromone inside of him out, draining himself of everything.
The shaking slowly subsided, and Rosalyn's pupils returned to the rightful position, although they were no longer the same. They now shined a bright red that made Zeleti smile in relief.
'Zeleti? ZELETI!' Rosalyn stood up in joy on the bed as she felt her newfound strength. She spun and threw herself at Zeleti to celebrate.
After using all his energy and pheromones, he had nothing left. He barely had enough strength to lift his arms up wide to embrace her.
*BANG*
Before Rosalyn could touch his arms, she exploded from the inside out leaving Zeleti covered in her blood, guts, and pungent scent. With no more pheromones to keep her stable, Rosalyn's body could not keep her vampire form. Leaving Zeleti with a final memory that would fuel his violent revenge.